Auburn's Tuttle American Legion Post 279 ready to rise from the ashes, rebuild

Brian Lee Telegram & Gazette Staff @BLeeTG

Tuesday

Sep 3, 2019 at 6:47 PMSep 3, 2019 at 9:32 PM

AUBURN — Less than six months after a dramatic three-alarm fire destroyed the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post 279, with 200 people inside, members are soldiering toward a rebuild.

“We’re in the process of capping off the sewer, water, gas and electricity, and demolition will follow immediately after that," said Bill MacLean, Post 279’s head financial officer.

Demolition of the approximately 10,000-square-foot building on Bancroft Street will begin within 10 days at the most, he said.

However, a permit had yet to be issued by the town as of Tuesday, according to building commissioner Caleb Moody. Proof that utilities had been shut off is a requirement.

On April 15, with more than 200 people enjoying a Lenten Friday night fish dinner, the 52-year-old lodge hall at 88 Bancroft St. was destroyed by a fire. Moments earlier, an off-duty Auburn firefighter was asked to look at what appeared to be a hot spot in a kitchen wall.

The building didn’t have a sprinkler system.

As for the rebuild, Mr. McLean said Tuesday: “Everything is set up — the excavators are ready to go in a matter of days.”

Plans are in the works to build a one-level, 120-foot-by-64-foot building at the same address, but parallel to Bancroft Street.

Mr. McLean said Post 279 leadership hopes to have the demolition completed withing three to four weeks, which would allow for an April 2020 opening.

Meantime, various American Legion Posts in the area have welcomed Tuttle members, including halls on Greenwood Street and Vernon Hill in Worcester, and in Oxford and Sutton.

Mr. MacLean predicted membership will increase considerably as the year progresses because of the excitement that’s built up for the post's future, particularly with its new caterers, Jay and Nancy Powell. Mr. Powell is a renowned chef and an "energetic guy who will do very well with us," Mr. MacLean said.

Having raised about $25,000 since the March fire, Mr. MacLean said: “Keep the prayers coming and the donations as well and check our Facebook page.”

—Contact Brian Lee at brian.lee@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BLeeTG.

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